HOUSTON PREMISES LIABILITY LAWYER
At Walker Texas Lawyer, we have the experience and expertise necessary to handle even the most complex premises liability cases. We are committed to helping victims get the compensation they deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help you.
What is Premises Liability?
What exactly does the term “premises liability” mean? In legal terms, premises are defined as land and buildings owned by someone. Premise liability is a legal concept that holds property owners responsible for injuries that occur on their property.
This includes private homes, businesses, and public spaces. Property owners are legally obligated to maintain their property in a safe condition. Furthermore, they must warn visitors of any potential hazards. If a visitor is injured due to a hazard on the property, the property owner may be liable for any resulting damages.
Property owners are not responsible for all injuries or accidents that happen on their premises. Rather, owners are liable when they fail to maintain or repair their property. They must maintain their property in a reasonably safe manner.
How much care does a property owner in Houston, TX have to exercise to avoid liability? It depends on why someone is entering the property. There are three classifications for visitors: invitee, licensee, and trespasser.
INVITEE
You’re an invitee if you enter someone’s property for a business purpose. The owner invites you to use the premises in some way. An implied invitation is when a place is open to the public during certain times. An express invitation is when the owner specifically asks you to come over at some point.
You might be an invitee if you:
- Visit a restaurant or bar for dinner or drinks
- Go to a store during business hours
- Participate in a business meeting at an office building
- Check into a hotel or motel
- Go to any public event, such as a sports game, concert or the rodeo
Property owners owe the highest duty of care to invitees. The owner must regularly inspect their premises for hazards and dangerous conditions. If they identify a hazard, they must warn you until fixed. Once a dangerous condition has been identified, it must be fixed as soon as practically possible.
Licensee
A licensee is someone who is invited to visit the property of another for a social purpose. The owner of the property derives no financial gain, but may enjoy the company of friends and family.
You might be a licensee if you:
- Are invited to a friend or family member’s house
- Canvass neighborhoods to support a politician or political cause
- Sell items door-to-door.
Licensees have a right to expect that the owner of the property will warn them about any dangerous conditions or hazards on the premises. But, the owner does not have a responsibility to inspect the property in order to discover those things.
Trespasser
When you enter another person’s property without their consent or permission, that is trespassing. You might be a trespasser if you:
- Enter a building after regular hours
- Cut across someone’s property
- Sneak onto someone’s property to use their items while they are not home.
To be a trespasser, you must have no permission to be on the property. You must not have been invited.
Generally speaking, owners are not required to inspect for dangerous conditions or warn trespassers about hazards. Owners are only liable for a trespasser’s injuries if the owner caused the injury through willful or wanton neglect.
Common Types of Premise Liability Cases
There are many types of premise liability cases, each with its unique set of circumstances. Some of the most common types of premise liability cases include:
- Slip and Fall Accidents: Slip and fall accidents are among the most common premise liability cases. These accidents can occur when a property owner fails to maintain their property in a safe condition, such as failing to clean up a spill or repair a broken step.
- Dog Bites: When a property owner’s dog attacks and injures someone, the owner may be held liable for the injuries. This is true even if the dog has never shown any signs of aggression before.
- Inadequate Security: Property owners must provide adequate security to protect visitors from harm. The property owner may be held liable if a visitor is injured due to inadequate security.
- Swimming Pool Accidents: Property owners who have swimming pools on their property must maintain the pool in a safe condition and warn visitors of any potential hazards. The property owner may be held liable if a visitor is injured in a swimming pool accident.
Who is Responsible for Premises Liability?
In premise liability cases, property owners are typically held responsible for any injuries that occur on their property. This includes landlords and tenants, depending on the circumstances. Property owners are legally obligated to maintain their property in a safe condition. Also, they should warn visitors of any potential hazards. If a property owner fails to meet these obligations and a visitor is injured as a result, the property owner may be liable for any resulting damages.
Proving Premises Liability
To prove a premise liability claim, the injured party must show that the property owner was negligent in their duty to maintain a safe environment. This requires proving that:
- The property owner had a duty to maintain the property in a safe manner.
- The property owner breached that duty by failing to maintain a safe environment or by failing to warn visitors of potential hazards.
- The breach of duty caused the visitor’s injuries.
Evidence used to support a premise liability claim includes witness statements and medical records. Additionally, photos of the hazard that caused the injury could support this. As well as any other relevant documentation on the liability claim
Walker Texas Lawyer Handles All Premises Liability Cases
Walker Texas Lawyer represents clients who have been injured because of a hazard or dangerous condition on someone else’s property in Houston, Texas. We handle cases involving:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Negligence
- Burn Injuries
- Bed bugs
- Electrocution
- Dog Bites
- Assualt
- Workplace Accidents
- Elevator accidents
- Exposure to toxic chemicals, and more.
Steps to Take After an Accident
If you have been injured on someone else’s property, there are several steps you should take to protect your rights and build a strong case:
- Seek Medical Attention: Your health and well-being should be your top priority. Seek medical attention immediately, even if your injuries seem minor.
- Document the Incident: Take photos of the hazard that caused your injury and document any other relevant details, such as the date and time of the accident and the names of any witnesses.
- Report the Incident: Report the incident to the property owner or manager as soon as possible. Make sure to document the incident and take photos of any hazards that may have caused your injury.
- Contact a Premise Liability Attorney: Contact an experienced premise liability attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options and can help you navigate the complex legal system.
A Houston Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help With Your Premises Liability Case
Premise liability is a complex legal concept. It holds property owners responsible for injuries that occur on their premises. If you have been injured on someone else’s property, you may obtain compensation for your injuries. Contact an experienced premise liability attorney as soon as possible. You must protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. James Walker will fight for the rights of the injured. He will work tirelessly to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Walker Texas Lawyer for Your Premise Liability Case?
Choosing the right attorney can make all the difference in your premise liability case. At Walker Texas Lawyer, we have a proven track record of success in these types of cases. You need a Houston Personal Injury Lawyer with the experience, knowledge, and resources to handle even the most complex premise liability cases.
At Walker Texas Lawyer, we will:
- Investigate the circumstances of your accident thoroughly
- We will seek the help of experts in your case and work with them to build a strong case for you.
- Gather all the evidence we can, including photographs, video surveillance footage, accident reports, complaints, code violations, and witness statements.
- Handle all communication between the property owner. As well as their insurance provider and other interested parties.
- Work to minimize the impact of any claims that you share responsibility for your accident or injuries.
When you choose Walker Texas Lawyer, you can rest assured that you get the best legal representation possible. We will work tirelessly to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Contact us for a free consultation today, and let us fight for your rights.
Areas We Serve
Walker Texas Lawyer is located in Houston, just off the southwest freeway near the corner of Edloe St and West Alabama St. We serve clients throughout Texas. Injured in a car, motorcycle, offshore, or industrial accident? We can help you get the compensation you deserve. The following are some areas we serve:
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